Tag: eating

Articles

Abstaining from Meat Offered to Idols

Peter

Being a Faithful Witness of the Lord

We thank you, Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, for our many trials, which provide us opportunities to exercise our faith and learn to discern good from evil. May our eyes be opened to see and remain watchful for the snares of the world’s idols that are everywhere in these last days.

We are commanded to abstain from idols and not to eat meat that is offered in sacrifice to them. These are spiritual terms we come to understand so we may walk perfectly before our Lord. Our abstaining from such activity was the key instruction in the Apostle’s letter to the Gentiles on how to conduct themselves in the faith.

Act 15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 

Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 

Before addressing the specific Scriptures that gave rise to the questions regarding idols and eating meat offered unto them, let us lay the foundation for what an idol and meat represent and what is meant by the meat being sacrificed or offered unto an idol.

What is Meat?

Meat is knowledge and what we believe, be it positive or negative. In the negative sense, as in this discussion, meat offered unto idols is knowledge apart from the Commandments. The Commandments are the knowledge of God, the meat of Jesus Christ that keeps us from destruction and brings salvation.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 

Eating the meat of the world’s knowledge can be many things, any interest or topic, but by default, it is all carnal dialogue and conversation with the Lord’s Commandments absent. This dialogue is knowledge that, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. The mature in the faith are taking heed of our eating worldly meat, especially when in the presence of others, our brethren, whom we care for and always seek to edify and show by example how we are to walk.

1Co 8:8  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 

1Co 8:9  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

As the people of God, we love our brothers and seek their welfare ahead of our own. A weaker brother could see us partaking of the knowledge of idols, and it is a poor witness for Christ to those young in the faith seeking to come out and be separate.

1Co 8:10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 

1Co 8:11  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 

What is an idol?

An idol is anything in our thoughtlife [heavens] or on our earth [our walk] that we esteem highly. It is our thoughts, our beliefs that drive our meditations and our deeds.  We make an image of these idols, elevating them above the Commandments, and thus we worship them rather than God. We are forbidden to serve any other god or bow down to them, but only the Lord. We sacrifice and bow to an idol when we obey the idol rather than the Commandments.

Exo 20:3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

Exo 20:4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 

Exo 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 

Perhaps the most famous idol is the golden calf made by Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. While Moses was away, they quickly turned aside from the Commandments, making an idol from their treasures, and worshipped it, despite being commanded not to do so. So it is today, as men make idols of many things that are highly esteemed in the world.

Exo 32:8  They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’

We are admonished to take heed to abstain from idols throughout the Scriptures lest we fail to learn the lesson of Israel in the flesh and die in the wilderness. There is no life found in any idol; only Christ gives life. Anything but the Commandments is falsehood, and the pursuit of riches and knowledge allure men into this state of spiritual death.

Jer 51:17  Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 

After entering the Promised Land, the snare of idols remains, and if one does not take heed, we are easily turned back to idols rather than obeying the Commandments.

Jdg 2:17  And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. 

The spirit of Satan is the spirit of the carnal mind that tempts us through the lusts that live in our flesh to make many idols and seek our own glory, bowing down to Satan, versus obeying the Commandments. The temptations of Christ are our temptations that the faithful turn away from, so we do not worship any other god.

Mat 4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  

1Jn 5:21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 

Those in the faith are commanded to flee from idolatry and be circumspect in how and what they eat. Creating and worshipping idols satisfies and keeps alive our fleshly desires. We keep the Commandments and do not provoke the Lord to jealousy. We eat the Commandments that are the Body of Christ and drink of His Blood by laying down our lives for each other.

1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 

1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 

Those in Christ are free, as the Truth has been given to us and now lives in us, and thus we have liberty to eat of the knowledge of idols. Eating meat sacrificed to idols is engaging in conversation, activity, and communion about worldly and carnal things that are not of Christ. Those in the faith are able to eat this knowledge, taking the spoils as the Gospel has been revealed unto us, and another man’s false god does not sway us. We, however, ask no questions.

1Co 8:4  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 

1Co 8:5  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

Not every man has our knowledge of God; the mystery of the Gospel is hidden from their eyes. The Lord’s people sacrifice and bow only to the one true God by striving to obey the Commandments, which include being separated from the gods of this world. As a new creation, we eat differently than the world, thus the Commandment is to purge out the old food from our feasts and replace it with Christ. When we come together to break bread and eat at the Lord’s table in our assemblies, we are not doing it with those who are fornicators, or covetous, all of which is idolatry. This leaven entering in defiles the Lord’s table and corrupts us; and the Commandment is to separate from them.

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

1Co 5:9  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 

1Co 5:10  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 

1Co 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 

Some young in faith, now with knowledge of idols and the Commandments, continue to eat the meat that is offered to an idol and thus remain weak and defiled. Their growth in Christ, in the Commandments, is stunted when they continue to consume meat that is offered unto idols.

1Co 8:7  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 

The mature man of Christ has put to death the lusts of the flesh and any desires that exalt themselves against the Commandments. No place is given for an idol to take root or remain in our hearts and minds. We eat the meat of someone else’s idols but are circumspect not to be overtaken by any.

1Co 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any

Col 3:5  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 

Paul’s primary point of 1Cor 10 is to remind us of the destruction that came upon ancient Israel when they strayed from the Commandments and went back a whoring after idols they created from their own carnal reasoning. Those being saved keep their minds on the Lord and separate from fellowship with devils that are the lies, doctrines and beliefs contrary to the Commandments. We keep the table and food of the Lord pure and undefiled and diligently guard our gates.

1Co 10:18  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 

1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 

1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 

1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 

Having been set free from the law of ordinances and now being justified by the faith of Christ living in us, we are free to go to worldly feasts and markets, but know it is not expedient to do so. We are cautious and on guard. We minimise our interactions and avoid further entanglement by asking no questions about the meat being offered and the idol to which it is offered. We ask no questions for their sake and instead follow the example of Christ and obey the Commandments. We are considered strange for not engaging in these worldly dissipations, but that is our appointment as the Lord’s witnesses.

1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 

1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 

1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. 

1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 

When faith is come, we are the Lord’s witnesses and the light unto the world. Our interactions with everyone the Lord puts in our path are an opportunity and a test for us to be a witness for Christ, a witness to His Commandments.

Isa 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 

It is within the precious few saints that the power of Christ dwells, and the greater works are being performed now and in the age to come. We die for others as Christ died for us, meaning we put the welfare of our fellow brothers and sisters above our own.

When it is made known to us that the meat being offered is sacrificed to an idol, we refrain from partaking, and we do not eat of it. We instead witness for Christ and do not bring the one true God down to the level of the world’s idols. Knowing the knowledge and conversation is offered unto an idol, if we then eat of it, we are sinning against the Lord and potentially harming a weaker brother who sees us. We refrain from eating this meat and exit the conversation, the gathering, or whatever the circumstance is of the meat being offered. God’s people do not partake of open idolatry.

1Co 10:28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 

1Co 10:29  Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 

We are free to eat the meat even knowing it is sacrificed to idols, but do not do it when it has been expressly revealed that it is offered unto an idol that is a false god. Why? Because when it is made known that the meat is offered to an idol, we become partakers of their idolatry. We make a stand and witness for Christ. Our partaking of this meat offered unto idols is sin and harms weaker brothers who have a weak conscience by virtue of their youth.

Rather than partake of this meat, we flee from evil and the open practice of idolatry. We do not eat in deference to others to be a witness for Christ and not create any obstacle that can delay or hinder a brother from coming to the knowledge of the Truth. Those with the Promise know there is but one true God, so the idols of men and the world are nothing to us, and thus we are not harmed by hearing of this conversation. We take every opportunity to set the example and give no reason for a brother to sin.

Christ tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Whatever we do, eating meat or not eating meat, we do it all for the glory of God to be revealed in ourselves and others. By not eating, we are doing it for the glory of God, not to delay the weaker brother from coming to the knowledge of the truth and obeying God. We are setting an example by our behaviour. If we engage in the same dissipations and gobble down the world’s meat that is contrary to the Commandments, we become a stumbling block for our brother. Instead, we bring glory to God and refrain from eating the meat of their carnal reasonings. We seek the spiritual profit, the salvation, of our brothers and eat not. We seek the profit of others that we may save some of them who see and hear our conversation.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

1Co 10:32  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 

1Co 10:33  Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Those in the faith of Christ are now a living sacrifice for Christ. The life we live is no longer our own, as we have been redeemed to Christ. We lay down our lives and do what we need to do to bring forth the glory of God in all men. This includes not partaking of eating meat sacrificed to idols, where it is made known by those who eat. By openly partaking of this meat, we give a poor witness, so we do not eat of it so as not to cause our brother to stumble.

1Co 8:12  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 

1Co 8:13  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. 

We provide some high-level examples of situations in which we are not to eat meat offered to idols. We are keeping it brief, consistent with the Commandment not to ask questions or stir up lust for the sake of our brethren. Seek the Lord when you have these questions or ask a brother in private for counsel.

One day, we may find ourselves unexpectedly at a celebration of a special day the world holds in high esteem. The Lord’s people do not partake of this meat by excusing themselves and not participating in the rituals of their sacrifice. We do not attend pagan festivals to be a better witness for Christ. Called out from the world, we refrain from eating of this knowledge and its conversation.

Attending church services where the truth is not found is eating meat sacrificed unto the idol of a false Jesus.  We come out of orthodox churches completely, as our participation creates an obstacle for others to draw near to the Living Gospel and begin to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

If a weaker brother tempts us by rationalising sin in the moment, we do not partake of it but rebuke them and stand for Christ. One may tempt us by saying, “I know we should not do this, but let’s do it anyway.” In such an example, the lusts of the flesh, disobedience are exalted to an idol above the keeping of Christ’s Commandments. We do not participate in this conversation, but we stand for Christ as faithful witnesses. A typical example by which many stumble is the Commandment not to gossip and speak evil of another man.

Another example is holding onto a false doctrine despite knowing the truth. An example of a false doctrine being idolised is when the idol of man’s definition of love conflicts with Godly love. It is painful and difficult to separate from brethren when commanded, despite the clear Commandments regarding antichrists and false brethren. To the natural man, this seems unloving, but to those in the faith, it is the Power of God separating the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats, and is confirmation that we are in the Lord’s hands. We please Christ rather than men, and this is done by obeying the Commands and not bowing down to an idol.

Lastly, there are a variety of worldly interests that, if not kept in subjection, can become idols. Pursuing these things distracts us from our focus on Christ. We do not squander our precious time but redeem it wisely.

Final Exhortations

Idolatry is everywhere, so we never fully escape it. We learn to walk the narrow road, navigating around it and not becoming snared in its deception and allure to our flesh.  We are free to eat the meat that the world makes into idols, but are watchful and careful to avoid making them into idols ourselves. The Lord’s people are separated from these idols, and we lose our desire to touch the unclean.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

When we come together as a Body to eat of the things of the Lord, our table cannot be mixed. We cannot eat at the Lord’s table at the same time we are eating at the table of devils, which is the table of idols. If we do not obey these Commandments, we become sick, weak, and fall asleep to the Commandments. We watch what we eat carefully and also guard our assemblies, so they do not become a feast where the meat of idols is mixed into our breaking of the Lord’s Bread and the meat of the Gospel.

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

The Lord is long-suffering and patient with us to grow into maturity and put away all of these idols. The Lord does not tolerate the strong from teaching and seducing others to commit such fornication that is idolatry. Obey the Commandments, casting out the Jezebel Spirit within and without ourselves, keeping oneself pure.

Rev 2:20  Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 

May these words encourage us to be vigilant like Gideon’s army and always be watching and ready for the enemy to appear. Those who become the army of God do not bow down on their knees to any idols. Soldiers for Christ do not mindlessly take things in; they remain alert and ready for the temptations that are promised to come.

Jdg 7:5  So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. 

Jdg 7:6  And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. 

We thank the Lord for raising the questions that led to this article. May all be edified and learn to be alert and discern the situation, choosing good over the evil of the world.

Articles, Studies

Eating and Drinking in the Kingdoms

Peter

Examining How and What We Eat 

To the pilgrims of Christ in many nations.  We give thanks to the Lord and the Father for opening the eyes of our hearts to see the truth of the Gospel.  May these words accomplish the work the Lord intends in those who hear.

As we are drawn to the Lord, studying the Scriptures and seeking the truth, we consume spiritual food, advancing us into the kingdom.  Having received the Gospel, we now abide in Him and the mystery which is the living Christ, the commandments making us heirs to His kingdom.

Eph 3:4  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ

Eph 3:5  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 

Eph 3:6  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 

Eating and drinking symbolize the spiritual truths we consume and take to heart.  These beliefs are what guide, nourish, and sustain one on their walk.  As we eat and drink with Christ, we consume His words, meaning His commandments, and take them to heart.  This is the only way of salvation.  What defiles us is what comes out of a man.  If we eat and drink worthily, by eating at the tree of life that is the commandments, we are reaping the fruits of righteousness.  Eating and drinking unworthily at the tree of knowledge of good and evil leads to the wages of sin.

Mat 15:18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 

Mat 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

The adage that “you are what you eat” has great wisdom.  The physical acts of eating and drinking show us these truths [Rom 1:20] that are applicable in the spiritual realm of God.  If one eats or drinks poorly, they become sick, diseased, fat, and may even die.  So, it is in the Spirit.   We learn through Daniel that the Lord’s chosen people, having favour with Him, are given better food to eat, even while in captivity.

Dan 1:8  NKJV But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 

Sitting in captivity with the king of Babylon, those favored of God are given special allowances to eat our requested food and refrain from eating and drinking that which the king gave everyone else.  A test was done, and the countenance of the health of Daniel and the others was far better; thus, they continued eating clean food and refraining from the defiled food of Babylon.

Dan 1:15  NKJV And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 

Dan 1:16  Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 

Eating the food the Lord provides brings the true knowledge of God and great wisdom, and understanding.  This food is the commandments.

Dan 1:17  As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 

Abiding in the commandments is our food, the meat of Christ, and the true living bread. This food provides the strength to perform the greater works, doing the work of the Father who sent Christ, who in turn sends us.  This work is preaching the one true Gospel and revealing the mystery to those ordained to receive the truth.  The sons of God are eating of the Gospel of the Father’s commandments.

Joh 4:32  NKJV But He said to them, “I have food [meat] to eat of which you do not know.” 

Joh 4:33  Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 

Joh 4:34  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 

The commandments are also about drinking the new wine that is Jesus Christ.  We taste this wine as we witness the first miracle in our walk with Christ.  As chosen disciples, we accompany Christ to a wedding wherein the water of the Word [we knew in the letter, hearing only] is turned into the wine of the Gospel.  Now we walk out our faith being chastened and transformed by the living commandments that is judging us and making our paths straight.  The kingdom of God is no longer near; it has come unto all that receive the Gospel.  Those who hear are invited to come to the wedding feast with Christ.

Joh 2:1  On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

Joh 2:2  Now both Jesus and His disciples [YOU and ME] were invited to the wedding. 

The true mother of Christ is those who keep His Word as the Scriptures declare.  We are the first to drink of this new wine, and it’s a miracle.

The commandments, Christ the living word, is the true knowledge of God that we eat daily as we follow the Lord.  The living commandments are Christ and is the way, the truth, and the life.  At first, we only hear the commands and do not do them, as we must receive the power of Christ working inside His Holy Temple.  We must patiently wait for the power of His indwelling Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to come.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

The Word of God, the commandments are pure and undefiled, reserved for us in heaven as the favored of God.  These living words are the unleavened bread the Israelites ate in the shadow of the Old Testament.  We do not add to it or take away from the commandments; we just do them.

Pro 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 

Pro 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 

Israel of old was given strict commands about what they could and could not eat under the law of Moses.  These laws are just shadows of the instructions by which the sons of God are to eat the living word of commandments.  We cover just one example for brevity and understanding.  Swine or pork was forbidden to be eaten because those animals do not chew the cud, meaning they gobble down their food without considering it and meditating upon it.  When one quickly eats up everything in sight like swine, one inevitably ingests bad food with the good food and thereby becomes defiled.  The Lord’s commandments are pure and simple and are not to be polluted by anything.  Those in the Lord do not eat with spiritual swine, as we are commanded to be careful in how we eat and conduct ourselves in the household of God.  Spiritual swine are fornicators and gluttons, covetous for even more food and always adding to the Word of God by their eating.  We are commanded not to eat with them.

1Co 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 

These are judgments we make daily, judging actions, not the person, and above all, obeying the Lord.  The detailed knowledge of these Old Testament shadows is not necessary for one to come to the commandments [Christ] and be saved.  The example of swine illustrates the allure of flesh that desires to pursue this other knowledge, forgetting the commandments to only eat at the Lord’s table.  In the end, all that matters is a new creation, and only the living commandments in our hearts cause that to happen.  More knowledge does nothing to advance the grace of God.  Eating unworthily, we dishonor our Father and profane the table of the Lord, despising the commandments, bringing polluted spiritual food to the altar of our heart.

Mal 1:7  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 

Mal 1:12  But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. 

After first coming to Christ, all drift away from His law and begin to add to and take away from the commandments.  Now eating defiled food of all kinds, resulting in all kinds of spiritual diseases and sicknesses.  There is no overcoming of sin when we do not hearken unto the voice of the Lord, meaning His commandments.

Exo 15:26  And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 

Before we receive this Gospel, we are plagued with many spiritual plagues and diseases without overcoming.  Believing in Christ’s Gospel, we are hearkening unto the Lord’s commandments, and all of our spiritual diseases are being healed, and we are raised from the state of death into newness of life.  This comes by the way of Jesus Christ, the Word who is the holy commandments of the Father.

Mat 11:4  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 

Mat 11:5  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 

Many say but do not do the commandments of Christ.  This is all of us before we get the power of the Gospel.  We labor to be rich and drift away from doing the work of God, which is believing [doing] His commandments.    Leaven creeps into the food and drink, as there are many false prophets, teachers, apostles, gospels, and even antichrists to be endured.  Departing from the commandments is departing from Christ; we leave our first love.

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love [i.e. Christ, the Living Word, the Commandments, the Gospel, the Holy Spirit]

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

This mystery of the Lord’s ways is shown in the fall of Adam and Eve.  All mankind disobeys the commandment and eats from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The fruit of this tree appeals greatly to the lust of our flesh and the pride of life living inside these clay vessels.  Satan, the serpent who is the spirit of the carnal mind, tempts us to sin, questioning the commandments by asking, “Did God say not to eat of this tree?” The serpent’s lie is mixed with some truth and we readily stray from the simplicity of the commandment.  If correction is not brought quickly, we can completely fall, thus we have this exhortation.

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word [The Commandments, not knowledge]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

The tree of knowledge is the devil’s table and not the Lord’s.  Flesh loves to eat from it as we covet knowledge more than obeying the Lord.  Wherever a man’s heart is, there will be his treasure.  The serpent’s food keeps us in bondage to the law of the Gentiles and the accusing and excusing mindset that is the carnal mind.  Rather than doing the commandments, we justify ourselves by gobbling down food, feasting, and becoming drunk with more of the wine of knowledge.   This is a snare that takes the commandments, the living Christ, coming into our hearts to set us free.

Isa 28:13  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 

If we have the living Christ dwelling in us, being sons of God, we have been set free from the bondage of this cruel cobra venom.

Deu 32:32  For their vine is of the vine of Sodom And of the fields of Gomorrah; Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. 

Deu 32:33  Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the cruel venom of cobras

Christ, the true bread of the Father, the living commandments, comes to us twice in the plan of salvation.  This is seen in the shadow of the old, where the tablets of commandments we first do not keep are given to us a second time [See Exodus 34].   We need the second coming of Christ to receive the power that is the indwelling Spirit, also known as our Comforter.

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

This is our patience as we wait and pray for Him to come.  Christ leaves us for a season but promises to come again, and then we are eating and drinking at the Lord’s table in the Father’s kingdom.

Mat 26:29  But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 

Going astray, forsaking His commandments [Christ] and eating and drinking unworthily is written in our book as all things are ours to fulfill.  Everyone being saved is first the prodigal son, who leaves their father’s house in search of riches and riotous living.  We leave the Father in our solemn assemblies, pursuing knowledge and spiritual riches, having many festivals of food and wine as we search the Scriptures.  Our hearts are not yet willing to come to the living God, the commandments which is the Gospel.  If we draw near to Him [the commands], He draws near to us.

Living by every word has us getting spiritually fat when we first hear the commandments and have our ears opened to the Words of God.  With full bellies of the wrong food, we fall asleep and forget [perceive not] the truth.

Isa 6:9  And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 

Isa 6:10  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 

Our falling away from Christ, the commandments come first, and then we are given to see the abomination of desolation in our spiritual house.   This is how our hearts are turned back to the commandments.

Isa 6:11  Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate

This strong delusion is unavoidable as it must come to pass before the Lord returns in the day of the Lord and gives us the power to overcome by the indwelling living commandments that is His Spirit.

2Th 2:3  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 

2Th 2:4  who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 

The Lord’s table of the true living bread and wine, the commandments, is never esteemed by those who walk in the flesh.  We wax fat in our delusions and pride in our spiritual riches, lightly esteeming the commandments.   We therefore sacrifice to our devils and not to God in this our strong delusion.

Deu 32:15  But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 

Deu 32:16  They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 

Deu 32:17  They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

But we cannot eat at both tables as it provokes the Lord, whose name is Jealous.

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 

We are to always examine how we eat and drink spiritual nourishment. Not eating properly makes one weak and sickly, and many fall asleep, doing no work in the kingdom.

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 

Eating defiled food, the bread of adversity, keeps our spiritual house desolate without overcoming and afflicted in lamentation.

Lam 1:4  The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. 

Knowing but not doing the commandments is being unfaithful to Christ.  The Lord takes away from those who waste His talents, and thus He takes the Word of commandments out of our hearts.  Without the rain of the living commandments, a famine of hearing the Words of the Lord [Amo 8] comes, and that is how we are turned over to strong delusion.  A jealous God takes away His tabernacle, feasts, and sabbaths that once sustained us.   We have forgotten the Lord our maker and turned our backs on His commandments.

Lam 2:5  The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strongholds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation. 

Lam 2:6  And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest. 

The Lord must call us out of this strong delusion that represents Spiritual Babylon within us.  In Spiritual Babylon, we feast on food that is everything but the commandments, and we make idols out of our knowledge of the deep mysteries hidden in the law and the prophets.  We become enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Php 3:18  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

Eating the Lord’s Supper in the Kingdom

When Christ comes the second time, we belong to Him and receive an earnest deposit of His Spirit of the commandments in which we now walk.  This is the true knowledge of God and the heavenly treasures we pursue, being sons of God led by His Spirit.  To those without the living Spirit, these riches are not attractive, as Christ and His Christ are not esteemed by those in the world.  Following the commandments, we become a stench of death to the world, yet for us of like mind,  we are a sweet-smelling savour to one another.  Knowing the Lord is THE HOLY COMMANDMENTS of the Father is how we lean not on our own knowledge and understanding.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD [The commandments] with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The living commandments within us are what give birth to the new man.  They are our beloved and where we lean [trust] in all ways.

Son 8:5  Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; There she who bore you brought you forth. 

The commandments, the Lord’s food, lift us out of our graves rebirthing us to a new life in Christ.

 Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord [The Commandments], and he [the commands] shall lift you up. 

There is great joy in our hearts when our eyes open to see this truth.

We have not yet arrived, having only a measure of the Spirit of the Father’s commandments.  Being in bodies of weak carnal flesh, we carefully watch with whom and how we eat the Lord’s supper.  A little leaven of our fleshly lusts can creep in and spoil the whole meal.  Evil company corrupts, and we are to separate those who continue to practice disobedience and take lightly the Lord’s commandments.  Staying with the simplicity and purity of the living commandments is paramount, and we never allow it to be mixed, added to, or subtracted from.

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [The commandments]

Part 2 – Coming Out of Spiritual Babylon

The Orthodox churches that many come through are just the shadow of Babylon.  The true Spiritual Babylon is primarily within our hearts and also outside in our time of fellowshipping with the many called.  In Babylon, we eat King Nebuchadnezzar’s meat and drink his wine. This means we are pursuing our lust, seeking the mammon of spiritual riches, and not being content with the simple food of the Lord’s commandments.

Dan 1:5  And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 

Dwelling in Spiritual Babylon [us in our time], we want nothing to do with THE LAW OF CHRIST, the living commandments.  As soldiers of the Lord, we are commanded to be content with our wages, and those wages are His commandments and the measure of His Spirit given.

Luk 3:14  And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. 

Only the Lord can give the increase and give us more faith of His commandments, so we wait on Him to bring us the rain and food we need.  This is entering into His rest, trusting Him to provide.

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 

Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Our activities in Babylon are about the riches and the appearances rather than the doing.  This woman is arrayed in expensive clothing and fine gems, having the appearance of Godliness.  Yet in Babylon, we are dead in our sins, separated from the very commandments that save.  The living Christ, the commandments have not been resurrected within us.  We have not heard the call to arise and come forth.  When the living Word of Christ is revealed, the commandments, and our eyes see it, we are amazed, as was John, at just how strong the delusion of Spiritual Babylon is.

Rev 17:3  NKJV So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

Rev 17:4  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 

Rev 17:5  And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 

Rev 17:6  I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. 

Babylon is known for its many merchants, meaning those who are buying and selling, which spiritually is the accusing and excusing mindset of the carnal mind.  Here we chase riches of all kinds and clean the outside of the cup while we trade in the unrighteous mammon of knowledge, which is trading in the souls of men.

Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 

Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 

Rev 18:13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 

When Christ is revealed and we see Him as the commandments, we understand and are returned to the simplicity of Christ.  His commandments are our food, the true bread of life.  All go into Babylon as it is written in everyone’s book to spend the appointed time until we hear the call to come out of her.  Only those being made faithful, a small remnant, the little flock, escape in every generation, this being the daughter of Zion.  We escape the captivity to both the world and Spiritual Babylon when we take to heart [EAT] the living commandments.

Mic 4:10  Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field [the world], and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. 

Christ, the commandments of the Father, are raised from the dead within us the day we leave Babylon.  Being delivered from our bondage to the serpent’s food, we now walk in the Spirit of the living God, the perfect law of liberty.  We become His instruments of service to go preach to the others who have not yet heard.

Mic 4:13  Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. 

The Jerusalem of Babylon within us is not the holy city and is instead likened unto Sodom [Rev 11:8] as we, its congregation, eat leavened bread, and sit idle, not working in the kingdom, neither preaching nor obeying the commandments.

Isa 1:9  Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. 

Isa 1:10  Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

The Lord hates these Babylonian feasts and solemn assemblies that do not bear His name, meaning the commandments are not in them.  The Lord does not accept the sacrifices of fat beasts filled with their own knowledge.

Amo 5:21  I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 

Amo 5:22  Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts

Isa 1:11  To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 

Isa 1:14  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 

The Lord sends His angels and ministers to preach His Gospel to the vessels prepared to hear to bring deliverance to the captives.  Some hear this Gospel of the commandments and come out of Babylon, maybe even today, if they understand.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Babylon within us falls soon after we receive this Gospel of the commands.  The lies cannot stand in the presence of the truth.  We no longer drink of the poison wine from the devil’s table.

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 

The day we leave Babylon and hear and believe the law of Christ, the commandments, is a holy day and brings us great joy.  We are returned to our first love, that is, the living commandments.  Now we are eating the living bread and drinking the wine of life, and sending portions to others by preaching this Gospel.  The joy of the Lord, these indwelling commands, is our strength.  This is the fat, the best portion of the Lord we are eating, which keeps us on the right path, building the temple of God.  Here is the witness for our admonition.

Neh 8:9  And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 

Neh 8:10  Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepare [Those hungry]; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

Neh 8:11  So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 

Neh 8:12  And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions [preach the Gospel] and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them. 

The commandments are the hidden treasure of the Lord and the mystery of the Gospel.  When we find this treasure, we sell all the Babylonian spiritual possessions we once valued, and like Paul, we consider it all dung [See Phil 3:4-11].  It is with great joy that we buy the field where the treasure of the commandments is hidden, as the parable shows.

Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 

All men are naturally born spiritual merchants, buying and selling being under the law and its accusing and excusing mindset.  But when we are given to find the pearl of great price, that is the Lord’s commandments, we sell all we have to buy it. Let them with ears to hear and eyes to see receive the Gospel of Truth.  The rich young ruler lacked the ability, the faith of the commandments [Christ], to make this deal with the Lord

 Mat 13:45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 

Mat 13:46  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

The merchandising stops.  We are now eating at the Tree of Life and holding to the wisdom of the Proverbs.

Pro 23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 

Most miss this everlasting Gospel preached by the Lord’s angels, as they cannot discern the time and do not recognize Him working through His ministers, supposing they are just gardeners. Most remain sleeping, well fed and comforted at the contemptible table of devils and stay in Babylon.  We pray these words from the Lord open some eyes to see the mystery.

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 

Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always

Receiving this Gospel of the commandments hidden for the ages, we now rejoice and are being made ready and granted our spiritual clothing in the Lord.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

The Wedding Feast of the King

We must be sincere in our faith in the Gospel and embrace the holy commandments with our whole heart, mind, and soul.  Some try to enter into the Lord’s feast without the necessary preparation, which is believing the Gospel of commandments.   Some come without this faith, wearing defiled garments.  We see this in Matthew’s parable of the wedding feast.

Mat 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 

We only come to the feast and into the kingdom of God through Christ, meaning only by way of the Holy Commandments.  These commandments, Christ is the door and the only way to enter.  Anyone coming any other way is a thief and a robber and was not made ready.

Joh 10:1  “Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 

Joh 10:2  But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

All who come before Christ to show us the way without the commandments are thieves and robbers.  The commandments of Christ are the only door by which we enter into the true feast and partake of the tree of life.   The true sheep do not hear these false teachers and prophets and, in time, are brought in by the door.

Joh 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 

Joh 10:8  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 

Joh 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

The righteousness of the saints is our faith of Jesus Christ, the living commandments.  Our hope of salvation rests on them and nothing else.  This is the wedding garment required to eat at the true feast of the Lord.  Without actionable faith in the commandments [pursuing holiness], no man shall see the Lord.

Mat 22:12  And the King siith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless [muzzled]. 

Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen

The Lord separates His little remnant, the pure virgins having oil in their lamps.  They are the true bride of Christ, having made themselves ready by enduring the persecution and suffering for their faith in the commandments.  We cannot enter in being ashamed of the Gospel, no, we must be bold and preach it to all the nations and kingdoms within and without. Nobody without a wedding garment is allowed to remain at the feast. The Lord, the living commandments,  takes them away and muzzles their mouths.  Those not ready are cast out from the true ones and separated from the remnant being saved.    May the Lord make this clear to all who hear.

As the Lord’s servants, we bid many to this feast by preaching the Gospel, but very few come.  We are commanded to call not our friends, brethren, kinsmen, or “rich” neighbors, but rather go to the poor without all the knowledge, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.  Those who need a physician are the lost sheep now being found.

Luk 14:12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 

Luk 14:13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 

Luk 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 

The Lord’s ministers are sent to those who cannot invite us back to a feast.  We are not leaving the table of the Lord where we eat His commandments.  We give and expect nothing in return; our reward is Christ.  It is better to give food than to receive it.  Blessed are those who come to our feast, they shall eat the true bread of life.

Luk 14:15  And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 

Many are bidden [called] but very few come because the Lord’s feast is not alluring to flesh versus the devil’s table.  The Babylonian merchandising and trading at the tree of knowledge is far more attractive, and there is no persecution to bear.

Luk 14:16  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: [Many Called]

Luk 14:17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 

Very few of the “spiritual Jews” of the circumcision [THE RICH], those steeped in all the knowledge of the Scriptures and especially the law and the prophets, come to the feast.  They are not hungry and are already filled and need nothing, trusting in their knowledge of the Scriptures to save them.  These are those Paul wrote about to Timothy [2Tim 3] being high-minded, covetous, and proud, having a form of godliness but denying the power of the commandments.  They are ever learning the Scriptures but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, which is the Gospel and is the wedding feast.  From such we turn away and now go to the Gentiles.

These parables of the Wedding Feast give the excuses as to why those called do not come.  They don’t come to the feast of the Lord because they are preoccupied with their fields [the world] or engaged in merchandizing, the buying and selling of knowledge.  They remain bound to the wrong law, being a law unto themselves, and esteem lightly the commandments of the Lord.

Mat 22:5  But they made light of it, [THE COMMANDS, THE FEAST] and went their ways, one to his field, another to his merchandise: 

Luke’s version confirms all the excuses pertain to being engaged in merchandizing and being married to the world.

Luk 14:18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 

Luk 14:19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 

Those who refuse the invitation of the angels [Rev 14], reject the Gospel and remain in Spiritual Babylon.   They were not given to hear the commandment to come out of her my people, because as yet they are not His people.  The Lord’s house is filled so like the Apostles, we now turn to the Gentiles and go find the lost sheep scattered to many nations.

Luk 14:21  So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 

Luk 14:22  And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 

The door into the wedding feast is closed to those who refuse the Gospel. Remaining on the outside, partaking at the table of knowledge of the tree of good and evil and they shall not taste of the true living bread that is the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.

Luk 14:24  For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 

Those who reject the living commandments after hearing it preached turn on the Lord’s messengers, hating us, thereby holding murder in their hearts.  This is a betrayal of Christ, and the Lord sends His wrath and destroys those who blaspheme against and hate Him [the commandments].

Mat 22:6  And the remnant [that would not come] took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 

Mat 22:7  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 

Mat 22:8  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. `

Those who reject Christ are rejecting the commandments and are unworthy of eternal life in this age.  We see this in the Acts of the Apostles, as most of the “circumcision”, meaning the Jews having all the knowledge of the Scriptures, reject the Gospel and strive against our preaching.

Act 13:45  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 

We are given a ministry to go and preach the Gospel.  We now rejoice in our newfound joy of the lively hope of Christ and the resurrection of His Holy Commandments from the dead.

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Grace and peace to the scattered brethren in all the places of this earth.